An Analysis of Production Constraints Faced by Sole Pigeonpea Farmers in Amravati District of Maharashtra, India

Abstract

Pigeonpea (Cajanus cajan), commonly known as tur, is one of the major pulse crops cultivated in Maharashtra and contributes substantially to household food security, nutritional requirements and farm income. However, pigeonpea production is influenced by several economic, technical, climatic and resource-related constraints that may adversely affect productivity and profitability. The present study was undertaken to identify and prioritise the major production constraints encountered by pigeonpea farmers in Amravati district of Maharashtra during 2025–26. Primary data were collected from 120 pigeonpea farmers selected from ten villages representing five tehsils of the district through a structured schedule. Eight major production constraints were identified based on the responses of the sampled farmers and were ranked using Garrett’s ranking technique. Among the identified constraints, high cost of fertiliser emerged as the most severe constraint, with a Garrett value of 59 and 58.59 per cent, and ranked first. Yield variability was the second major constraint at 54.99 per cent, followed by high cost of seed at 52.98 per cent. Labour scarcity and high wage rates occupied the fourth and fifth positions, with 51.82 and 51.37 per cent of the farmers reporting these constraints, respectively. Inadequate institutional credit and lack of technical knowledge were ranked sixth and seventh, while high cost of pesticides was ranked eighth. The findings indicate that pigeonpea farmers face a combination of input costs, production uncertainty, labour and financial constraints. Strengthening timely access to quality inputs, improving technical guidance, promoting efficient input management and facilitating affordable institutional credit can help reduce production difficulties and improve the stability and profitability of pigeonpea cultivation in the study area.